The victim, Herter Ekika, was relaxing at the beach when a Thai man came up to her and started talking.

“The first suspect, Nattawat Sengpatom, engaged Ekika in conversation, while the other two, Teerasak Seelapsee and Chachawal Promli, stole her bag that was lying nearby,” Lt Col Somsak Thongkleang of Patong Police told the Phuket Gazette.

“The men took off, but a nearby local saw the whole thing happen and came to Ms Ekika’s help. She then filed a complaint at Patong Police Station,” he added.

Police tracked down all three suspects and charged them with theft. They also recovered Ekika’s belongings and returned them to her.